Urbanwise.London The Urban Studies Centre Annual Report 2018 Chair’s Report
This year, in addition to our regular projects, we were pleased to start a number of new initiatives with west London schools. The Energy Champions project, supported by The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, was piloted in the spring term of 2018 with two Kensington and Chelsea schools and received very positive feedback from teachers and children. It will continue next year with the aim of encouraging children to promote reductions in energy use at school and home. A grant from Ernest Cook Trust enabled us to work with our first Wandsworth school, Falconbrook Primary School, who helped us to develop some new riverside trails exploring the fascinating history and geography of Wandsworth’s Riverside. We were also able to offer two Kensington and Chelsea schools our Street Detectives project, exploring their local area with a particular We were pleased to welcome three new trustees onto the Board focus on researching air pollution issues, thanks to funding from at our last AGM, Jan Parnell, Chloe Kenny and Mike Lachowicz. Westway Trust and Tesco. We worked in partnership with West Jan has extensive experience in education at a senior level, Mike London Zone to deliver a bespoke project for a small group is an experienced environmental consultant who has previously of children from Old Oak primary school using the wonderful run education programmes and Chloe is a keen geographer expanses of Wormwood Scrubs for outdoor learning. who is currently working for the government. We were sorry to This year, as well as our busy Schools Programme, we were lose Jill Carey from the Board of Trustees, due to her move up pleased to offer community projects with various groups in a to Cheshire, but she remains a friend and advisor. We were very number of different locations. The Earls Court Community project, pleased to congratulate our Education officer, Emily Munn, on supported by London Community Foundation saw us working the birth of her baby son this year. with St. Andrews Youth Club, having fun together and trying out Next year, we look forward to progressing with our schools some new activities like high ropes climbing in Battersea Park. and community work. We have an exciting new initiative to We look forward to continuing working with the youth club offer local schools called Hammersmith and Fulham Mudlarks, and also with West Kensington Senior’s Club, engaging them in supported by London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham’s London’s culture and history with some lively days out. Children’s Services, looking at water pollution in the River Last summer, we contributed to the voluntary sector’s response Thames and Grand Union Canal and finding solutions to local to The Grenfell Tower tragedy, in partnership with HCGA and plastic pollution problems. We will also be working on our with support from John Lyon’s Charity. Our Nature Discovery Queen Caroline community project supported by Hammersmith Days Out provided some days away from the local area, so United Charities, this being the 250th anniversary of her birth. that families could relax and enjoy nature together in quiet Due to the success of our Schools Programme, we will be surroundings. promoting our service more widely to schools in Ealing, Brent and Wandsworth next year. A completely new venture for us was the commencement of two City of London supported projects. We worked with west London I would like to thank the staff for their excellent work, the Board residents, introducing them to the City of London’s amazing of Trustees for their energy and commitment and all those who cultural spots, hidden and well known history, and beautiful helped us this year by volunteering their time or with financial green spaces. These projects are continuing into next year, so we support. look forward to taking many more discovery walks with our new Hilda McCafferty, Chair friends. We also enjoyed helping deliver Healthy Community Gardening Activities’ (HCGA) Discovering the Green City garden visits for Westminster residents. Our Work in Numbers 3,474 learning experiences, working with children, young people and adults over a range of fifteen different projects.
LBHF Local Active Learning 20 Non-LBHF/Independent Schools 14 School Travel Project 13 Children’s Parliament 10 Schools Children’s Choice 8 Earls Court 6 Energy Champions 2 Street Detectives 2 Natural Explorers 1
LBHF Local Active Learning 1,087 Non-LBHF/Independent Schools 617 School Travel Project 411 Children’s Parliament 365 Children’s Choice 92 Earls Court 262 Energy Champions 85 ParticipantsParticipants Street Detectives 54 Natural Explorers 22 Nature Discovery 100 Teacher and Adult Training 63 Earls Court Community 12 Discovering the Green City 80 City of London Walks 13 Adults/Family Events 211 Annual Projects Active Local Learning Children and young people in Hammersmith and Fulham schools enjoyed learning about the local environment, exploring nature and discovering how to keep fit and healthy. “Interesting day investigating the local area and analysing changes.” Year 12 teacher, Ark Burlington Danes Academy School Travel We promoted active travel with ten primary schools in Hammersmith and Fulham, aiming to reduce pollution from cars and involving children in their school’s travel plan. “I Iearnt that parks are the lungs of London and we should look after them” Year 5 student, St. Peter’s CE Primary School Children’s Choice Conference Children’s Parliament Children from Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham and Westminster gathered together at the Science Museum for a day of lively workshops and discussions on the theme of Science. The project was planned by a small group of children from local schools and we worked together with Epic CIC to deliver the conference. “The conference was very useful because it was cool with fun things to do and learn” Year 5 student, Marlborough Primary School Children’s Parliament on the Environment Year 6 children from ten primary schools in Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea researched a wide range of topics of importance to their own school. They showcased their work during a special event in Hammersmith Town Hall, attended by an audience of their peers and invited adult guests. “I enjoyed it. It was an experience like no other. I’ve never done such a thing!” Year 6 student, St. John XXIII Catholic Primary School Continual Professional Development We delivered training for Newly Qualified Teachers in Local and Outdoor Learning for the Education Service, also for the staff team at Coppermill Primary School in Walthamstow. We organised a geography CPD for local teachers and London Environmental Education Forum members at Brompton Cemetery and continued to lead the Geography and History Good Practice Network. “Lovely session, personal with lots of ideas that can be used. Lovely leaders” NQT teacher Special Projects Earls Court This year’s school groups focussed on the importance of homes, housing and neighbourhoods and explored the question “What makes an ideal home?” “Children really enjoyed it and learnt a lot of new facts. Activities planned were very engaging” Year 2 teacher, St. Cuthbert with St. Matthias CE Primary School. Energy Champions A new project, working with the climate change team of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, to engage children in finding out about the impact of energy use and creating an Nature Discovery Days Out action plan to reduce energy use at home and at school. “I liked meeting the experts, playing all the energy Natural Explorers games and doing the action planning” A small group of nursery aged children from Old Oak Primary Year 3 student, Bousfield Primary School School and their parents made great use of Wormwood Scrubs Street Detectives for outdoor learning and nature activities. Two Primary schools in North Kensington explored their local “Wood walks, kite flying, sprites, freedom, expression, area, discovering more about its history and character, while researching local air pollution issues. excitement...were the most valuable activities” Nursery teacher, Old Oak Primary School “I liked most the fact that we were allowed to explore Nature Discovery Days Out things for ourselves” Families from North Kensington participated in visits to places Year 6 student, Bevington Primary School of interest such as Whipsnade Zoo, The London Wetland Centre and Kew Gardens to relax , play together and discover local Discovering the Green City wildlife. A series of garden walks and visits delivered in partnership with HCGA for Westminster residents. Venues included The Geoffrye “We really enjoyed today and can’t wait for the next Museum Herb Garden, Camley Street Natural Park and The Kensington Roof Garden. trip” Parent from North Kensington (Kew Gardens visit) “I’m grateful to have been able to discover more green Wandsworth Riverside Trails spaces in the City” Falconbrook Primary school explored their local area and Westminster resident helped us to create some new riverside trails in Wandsworth for City of London Culture and Green Spaces schools. Projects “Our two Year 5 classes really enjoyed the project!” West London residents enjoyed wandering through the City of Head Teacher, Falconbrook Primary School London, learning about its history, culture and wonderful green spaces. Places visited include The Monument, The Museum of Earls Court Community Project London, Postman Park, St. Paul’s Cathedral, St. Brides Church, St. Andrews Youth Club kicked off this new project by trying Guildhall Art Gallery and Leadenhall Market. out the high ropes course at ‘Go Ape’ in Battersea Park and planning some further exciting activities for the summer. “It’s wonderful to get out and find new places. I didn’t “I was scared at first but soon got the hang of it!” know all these things about London’s history before!” St. Andrew’s Youth Club member, aged 10, Go Ape in Battersea Park visit Westminster resident Moya O’Hara, Director Events About We also participated in some lively family and school events throughout the year. Urbanwise.London
Urbanwise.London is a voluntary organisation which was established in 1983 as Hammersmith and Fulham Urban Studies Centre. Urbanwise.London’s aims are to : • Promote active outdoor learning in the local area • Help young people communicate their views and ideas on Wellbeing Day in Normand Park environmental issues which concern them • Bring together young people, teachers and expert professionals to examine issues around environmental change. The Centre’s small team has extensive teaching experience with children, young people and adults. They are experienced in designing and developing learning materials relating to the local area for all age groups. Teacher training is also delivered to local teachers and environmental educators. Both formal and informal programmes are delivered for groups from 5 - 18 years. We follow the National Curriculum with the local area as a focus, World Car Free Day at Brook Green encompassing aspects of history, geography, science and citizenship. We support a creative curriculum by offering memorable experiences outside of the classroom and emphasise active learning grounded in young people’s experience and perspective. Urbanwise.London additionally offers educational workshops and walks to families, adults and work teams.
Church Street Family Day
Children’s Choice Conference at the Science Museum
Discovering the Green City Walk
Finance This year our income was £109,717 and our total expenditure was £105,530, leaving us with a surplus of £4,187.
SchoolCity Travel of London Project Projects CommunitySchool Travel & SchoolsProject £20,950 Projects (LBHF)
Energy Champions Project EarlsCommunity Court Project & Schools Projects £20,385
Earls Court Project £20,200 (C&C Management Services) EducationTransition Fees &Project Other Project Income
Education Fees & Other Projects £12,522 (Schools & other funders) Income Local Active Learning
LocalChildren's Active Learning Parliament £11,612 (LBH&F Grant) £109,717 Children's Parliament Children’s Parliament £8,740 (£4370 LBHF & £4370 RBKC) Local Active Learning
TransitionTransition Project Project £5,300 (HLF)
EnergyCityEducation of ChampionsLondon ProjectsFees Project & £5,008 Other (City Project of London) Income CityEnergy of London Champions Projects Project £5,000 (RBKC) Earls Court Project
Salaries (£83,196) Community & Schools Projects
Salaries (£83,196) Salary & Pension Costs £83,196Project Matierals and Expenses (£5,117) School Travel Project Project Matierals and Expenses (£5,117) Project Materials & Expenses £5,117 Governance Costs (£3,721) GovernanceGovernance Costs (£3,721) Costs £3,721
Expenditure PremisesPremises Costs (£3,627) Costs £3,627 Premises Costs (£3,627)
£105,530 ProfessionalsProfessional & Accounting (£3,300) and Accountancy £3,300 Professionals & Accounting (£3,300) Printing,Printing, Stationery & ITStationery (£3,226) & IT £3,226
Freelance Staff (£2,476) Freelance Staff £2,476 Printing, Stationery & IT (£3,226)
Travel,Travel, Training & SundriesTraining (£867) & Sundries £867 Freelance Staff (£2,476)
Travel, Training & Sundries (£867)
Many thanks to our funders this year: The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Capco, Heritage Lottery Fund, The City of London, London Community Foundation, John Lyon’s Charity, Ernest Cook Trust, Westway Trust, Tesco, The Daisy Trust and local schools. Mary-Lou Wedderburn, Treasurer Staff Moya O’Hara (Director) Emily Munn (Education Officer) Urbanwise.London Carlos Izsak (Education Officer) Limited Jo MacMenamin (Education Officer) Khalid Ibrahim (Project Assistant) The Lilla Huset Sara Butler (Book keeper) 191 Talgarth Road London W6 8BJ Board of Trustees tel 020 8741 7138 Hilda McCafferty - Chair email [email protected] Cathryn Maund -Vice Chair website www.urbanwise.london Mary-Lou Wedderburn - Treasurer Registered Company No. 1762007 Jill Carey Registered Charity No. 288102 Alex Morgan Louanne Tranchell Jenny Stark Andrew Pendleton Jan Parnell Chloe Kenny Mike Lachowicz
Volunteers Emmanuel Simon Robert Malas Miriam Hellmuth James Henderson Elaine Green